Much of Western New York and the Finger Lakes including Rochester are expected to see damaging winds on Sunday.
We could see wind gusts of more than 65mph or higher by Sunday afternoon and evening.
The National Weather Service has issues a High Wind Warning from 7am Sunday to 10am Monday, and it is that long duration of strong winds that forecasters say could really do some damage, with the potential to bring down trees, utility pole and power lines.
In terms of the temperature, it will start out mild, with a high on Saturday of 46 degrees and partly cloudy skies and a high of 57 on Sunday with some showers.
But by Monday, it’s back to winter with temperatures falling into the 30s. The forecast calls for highs only in the 20s from Tuesday through Thursday.
Monroe County Executive Cheryl Dinolfo says that the county has been in touch with the American Red Cross to prepare for the potential opening of public shelters. The Monroe County Department of Environmental Services is putting additional staff and equipment on stand-by, to deal with the potential of severe weather.
In the City of Rochester, Mayor Lovely Warren says the David F. Gantt Center at 700 North Street will open at 9 a.m. Sunday as an emergency shelter and warming center. It will remain open as long as needed. The Martin Luther King, Jr. Ice Rink will be closed Sunday.
All regularly scheduled indoor R-Center activities will take place as long as their respective facilities have power.
The Rochester Police Department, Fire Department and 911 are calling in additional staff to respond to an anticipated increase in emergency calls. 311 will have extended hours, remaining open until 8 p.m. Sunday.
Governor Cuomo has directed the Department of Transportation and the Thruway Authority to ban empty tractor trailers and empty tandems from portions of the New York State Thruway and some interstate highways in the Western New York, Central New York and Finger Lakes Regions beginning 10am on Sunday.
